JNU Updates

In Allahabad, a group of about 150 to 200 lawyers attacked a (pro-JNU) protest demonstration organised by Left parties, their affiliate student organisations and civil society and women rights activists. The attackers allegedly hurled abuses at the women and other protesters and assaulted them with sticks and rods. They also threatened the women with rape.

Gyandey Ahuja, a BJP MLA from Rajasthan, made it to several news articles last week, by declaring all the items “found” in JNU. According to him, “More than 10,000 butts of cigarettes and 4,000 pieces of beedis are found. 50,000 big and small pieces of bones are found. 2,000 wrappers of chips and namkeen are found, and so are 3,000 used condoms the misdeeds they commit with our sisters and daughters there. And 500 used contraceptive injections are also found.” However, it is important to note that this statement is reflective of the long-held fear of educating women and accepting their agency and their rights over their bodies.

Positive Steps

Days after Jaipur got its first-ever woman qazis, Uttar Pradesh’s Muslim community followed suit by appointing two women, Hena Zaheer and Maria Fazal as shahr qazis – judges who decide on matters within the community (in Kanpur).

A six-year-old girl was sexually abused by a juvenile who lives in the same neighbourhood. A case was filed and the boy was taken into custody. However, all of a sudden, the private school in which the girl studies has asked her parents to pull her out of school since she is a survivor of rape.

Shani Shignapur Updates: A day after the Bhumata Brigade led by activist Trupti Desai (the rationalists fighting for women’s entry into the sanctum sanctorum at Shani Shiganpur temple) were “detained” by the police when they tried to head in the direction of Shani Shingnapur village, the villagers under the banner of ‘Shanaishwar Devsthan Bachav Kruti Samiti’ have demanded that the Chief Minister ban the outfit.

Reported Rapes & Rape Case Updates

Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swami Rape Case: The woman who has filed a rape case against the seer of the Ramachandrapura Mutt, has filed a petition in the High Court of Karnataka, seeking transfer of her case to another court. In her petition, the singer alleged that the court was unfair towards her after the judge remarked that he would not permit the seer to undergo medical tests as directed by the police.

The Women’s cycling team in Afghanistan, that suffers & battles death threats in order to be able to cycle, have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.It is amazing to read their story of determination despite constantly hearing that a “bicycle can destroy a girl’s future.”

Swetha is a communications professional who dabbles in several things. A feminist, she initially started writing for FII and now is an all-round writer, thinker, planner and sometimes also a designer! She tweets @swethadandapani

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Feminism in India is an award-winning digital intersectional feminist platform to learn, educate and develop a feminist consciousness among the youth. It is required to unravel the F-word and demystify all the negativity surrounding it. FII amplifies the voices of women and marginalized communities using tools of art, media, culture, technology and community.